Sevier County Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Sevier County
Arrest records in Sevier County, Tennessee, are generally accessible to members of the public under the Tennessee Public Records Act. Pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-503, all state, county, and municipal records are presumed open for public inspection unless a specific exemption applies. Arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies — including the Sevier County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments — fall within the scope of this statute and are therefore subject to disclosure upon request.
It is important to distinguish between an arrest record and a conviction record. An arrest record documents the act of being taken into custody by law enforcement and does not constitute evidence of guilt. A conviction record, by contrast, reflects a formal finding of guilt entered by a court of law. Under Tennessee law, individuals who are arrested but not convicted retain certain rights regarding the disposition of those records, including the right to petition for expungement under qualifying circumstances. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) maintains statewide criminal history information and processes public records requests through its open records request portal.
What's in Sevier County Arrest Records
Sevier County arrest records contain a standardized set of data fields compiled at the time of booking and maintained by the arresting agency. The scope of information available to the public may vary depending on the nature of the offense and any applicable court orders.
Arrestee Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth and age at time of arrest
- Race, sex, height, weight, and eye and hair color
- Last known residential address
Arrest Details:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Name and badge number of arresting officer
- Arresting agency (e.g., Sevier County Sheriff's Office, Gatlinburg Police Department)
Charge Information:
- Specific criminal charges filed
- Charge classification (felony, misdemeanor, or infraction)
- Tennessee Code Annotated citation for each offense
Warrant Information (if applicable):
- Warrant number and issuing court
- Date warrant was issued
- Jurisdiction of originating warrant
Booking Information:
- Booking number and date
- Facility where the individual was processed
- Fingerprint and photograph (mugshot) notation
Bond/Bail Information:
- Bond type (cash, surety, or release on recognizance)
- Bond amount set by the court or magistrate
- Bond status and any conditions of release
Court Information:
- Case number assigned by the court clerk
- Scheduled court appearance dates
- Assigned judicial division or court
Custody Status:
- Current incarceration status
- Release date or projected release date
- Transfer information if applicable
Additional Information May Include:
- Narrative arrest report (subject to law enforcement discretion)
- Vehicle information if relevant to the arrest
- Co-defendant information where applicable
How To Look Up Arrest Records in Sevier County in 2026
Members of the public may obtain arrest records in Sevier County through several official channels. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or through designated online portals, depending on the holding agency.
Step 1 — Identify the Correct Agency. Determine which law enforcement agency made the arrest. Arrests within unincorporated Sevier County are typically handled by the Sheriff's Office, while arrests within city limits may be processed by municipal police departments such as those in Sevierville, Gatlinburg, or Pigeon Forge.
Step 2 — Submit a Public Records Request. Under Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-503, any person may submit a written request to inspect or copy public records. Requests should include the full name of the subject, approximate date of arrest, and the type of record sought.
Step 3 — Pay Applicable Fees. Agencies may charge reasonable fees for copying records. Fee schedules vary by office and are typically posted at the public counter or on the agency's official website.
Step 4 — Allow for Processing Time. Tennessee law requires agencies to respond to public records requests promptly. If a record cannot be produced immediately, the agency must provide a timeline for fulfillment.
Sevier County Sheriff's Office 106 W. Bruce St., Sevierville, TN 37862 (865) 453-4668 Sevier County Sheriff's Office
Sevier County Criminal Court Clerk 125 Court Ave., Suite 202W, Sevierville, TN 37862 (865) 453-4668 Sevier County, TN
How To Find Sevier County Arrest Records Online
Several official and state-level online resources currently provide access to arrest and criminal history information for Sevier County residents and the general public.
- Tennessee Felony Offender Information Lookup (FOIL): The State of Tennessee operates the Tennessee Felony Offender Information database, which allows members of the public to search for individuals convicted of felony offenses. The FOIL system is accessible at no cost and is updated regularly by the TBI.
- TBI Criminal History Records: The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation maintains a statewide criminal history repository. Members of the public may submit name-based or fingerprint-based background check requests through the TBI's online portal.
- Sevier County Online Court Records: The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts provides access to case information through its public portal, where users may search by name or case number for court dispositions associated with arrests.
- Sevier County Sheriff's Office Website: The official Sevier County government website may provide current inmate rosters and recent booking information through its public safety section.
How To Search Sevier County Arrest Records for Free?
Free access to Sevier County arrest records is available through multiple official channels at no cost to the requester.
- In-Person Inspection: Pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-506, members of the public have the right to inspect public records free of charge. Fees may only be assessed for copies, not for inspection. Individuals may visit the Sevier County Sheriff's Office or the Criminal Court Clerk's office during regular business hours to review records at no cost.
- FOIL Database: The state-operated Tennessee Felony Offender Information lookup tool is available to the public at no charge and requires no account registration.
- Tennessee Court System Portal: The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts provides free online access to court case information, including charges and dispositions linked to arrests.
- TBI Open Records Requests: The TBI processes certain public records requests at no cost, particularly for name-based searches. Detailed information on submitting a request is available through the TBI public records request page.
How To Delete Arrest Records in Sevier County
Tennessee law provides two primary legal mechanisms for limiting public access to arrest records: expungement (legal erasure of the record) and sealing (restricting public access while preserving the record for law enforcement purposes). These are distinct remedies with different eligibility requirements and legal effects.
Expungement results in the destruction or removal of the arrest record from public databases. Upon expungement, the individual may lawfully state that the arrest did not occur in most civil contexts. Sealing restricts public access to the record but does not destroy it; sealed records remain accessible to law enforcement and certain licensing authorities.
Eligibility for Expungement in Tennessee:
- Charges that were dismissed, retired, or resulted in a not guilty verdict are generally eligible for expungement under Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-32-101.
- Certain misdemeanor and low-level felony convictions may be eligible after the completion of sentence and a mandatory waiting period.
- Individuals with multiple convictions or certain violent or sexual offenses are typically ineligible.
Steps to Petition for Expungement:
- Obtain a copy of the criminal record from the TBI or the court clerk.
- Confirm eligibility based on the charge type and disposition.
- Complete the petition for expungement form available from the Sevier County Criminal Court Clerk.
- File the petition with the court and pay the applicable filing fee (currently $100 for eligible convictions; no fee for dismissed charges).
- Attend any scheduled hearing if required by the court.
- Upon court approval, the order is forwarded to the TBI and arresting agency for record destruction.
What Happens After Arrest in Sevier County?
The criminal justice process in Sevier County follows a structured sequence from the point of arrest through final case disposition.
- Arrest and Booking: Following an arrest, the individual is transported to the Sevier County Detention Center for booking, which includes fingerprinting, photographing, and recording of personal information and charges.
- Initial Appearance: The arrestee is brought before a judicial commissioner or judge, typically within 48 hours, for an initial appearance. At this stage, charges are read, and bond is set or denied.
- Preliminary Hearing or Grand Jury: For felony charges, the case proceeds to a preliminary hearing in General Sessions Court or is presented to a grand jury for indictment.
- Arraignment: Upon indictment or bound-over charges, the defendant is arraigned in Criminal Court and enters a formal plea.
- Pre-Trial Proceedings: Both parties engage in discovery, motions practice, and potential plea negotiations.
- Trial or Plea Disposition: The case is resolved through a guilty plea, dismissal, or jury or bench trial.
- Sentencing: Upon conviction, the court imposes a sentence in accordance with Tennessee sentencing guidelines.
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Sevier County?
Arrest records in Sevier County are subject to retention schedules established under Tennessee state law and the policies of the Tennessee State Library and Archives. Under the Tennessee Public Records Commission's guidelines, law enforcement records — including arrest logs, booking records, and associated documentation — are generally retained for a minimum period that varies by record type and agency classification.
Pursuant to Tennessee records retention schedules, arrest records for cases resulting in conviction are typically maintained permanently or for extended periods. Records associated with arrests that did not result in conviction may be subject to shorter retention periods or may be eligible for expungement, as outlined under Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-32-101. Different agencies within Sevier County — including the Sheriff's Office, municipal police departments, and the court clerk — maintain independent retention schedules in accordance with their respective record classifications. Records retention serves the dual purpose of preserving evidence for ongoing legal proceedings and maintaining accountability within the criminal justice system.
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation 901 R.S. Gass Blvd., Nashville, TN 37216 (615) 744-4000 Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
How to Find Mugshots in Sevier County
What Mugshots Are Mugshots are official photographic images taken by law enforcement at the time of booking. They are part of the arrest record and document the physical appearance of an individual at the time of their arrest.
Where Mugshots Are Maintained Mugshots are maintained by the Sevier County Sheriff's Office and the Sevier County Detention Center as part of the booking record. Copies are also transmitted to the TBI as part of the statewide criminal history repository.
Finding Mugshots Members of the public may request mugshots through a formal public records request submitted to the Sevier County Sheriff's Office. Requests should identify the subject by full name and approximate date of arrest.
Can They Be Found Online The Sevier County Sheriff's Office may publish current inmate booking photographs on its official website or inmate roster. The Sevier County government website serves as the primary official source for such information. Third-party websites may republish mugshots obtained from public records, though Tennessee law does not currently mandate removal by private operators.
Obtaining Mugshots Officially Official copies of mugshots may be obtained by submitting a written public records request to the Sheriff's Office. A per-page or per-image copying fee may apply in accordance with the agency's published fee schedule.
Restrictions on Mugshot Access Mugshots associated with juvenile arrests are confidential under Tennessee law and are not subject to public disclosure. Additionally, mugshots connected to expunged records must be destroyed or returned to the petitioner upon court order.
Sevier County Detention Center 106 W. Bruce St., Sevierville, TN 37862 (865) 453-4668 Sevier County Sheriff's Office